Enter Search Term. Since Stamkos entered the NHL in 2008-09, only Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals has scored more goals (543) than the Lightning captain (422), who scored 29 in 57 games last season. 1 centermen the Canucks have been looking for for a really long time, and he's going to be really good and on this list for a really long time. There is really nothing not to love about Faksa, and this clip shows everything he is good at. Stamkos has scored 54 points (24 goals, 30 assists) in 71 NHL playoff games. Best 3rd line hockey - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps He said Jost, 23, or Compher, 26, could move to center, which has added . One spot in their lineup that's been specified is the third-line center position. Sidney Crosby, C, PIT 8.. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. Below, we list the NHL's top 10 lines heading into the 2020-21 campaign. With a small sample size to work with this season, Ill use his stats from last season, when he played all 82 games for St. Louis. There are several players who deserve to be in that discussion. Stastny projects to land a 1-year deal at a cap hit of $2.076 million. And they could benefit from making a few additions ahead of the March 3 trade deadline. COL L1: Andre Burakovsky -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen (-1), 3. He had three straight seasons with at least 63 points from 2017-18 to 2019-20. He's also been among the league's best faceoff men, leading all skaters this season with a 63.1 faceoff win percentage. A three-time Stanley Cup champion (2009, 2016, 2017), Malkin has scored at least 25 goals in 10 of his 14 NHL seasons and at least 70 points in 11 of the 14. Additional Details: With a couple of potential GENERATIONAL talents at the top of the 2023 draft acquiring picks for that season is good business for Ottawa. All rights reserved. Bozak finished this season with 17 points in 31 games a 45-point pace over 82 games. Whats scary to think is that he still has plenty of room to grow, and likely isnt even close to hitting his full potential at this point. The 6'4", 220-pound Wilson joins the 6'3", 238-pound Ovechkin in providing this line with a hard-hitting edge. Bonino is coming off back-to-back Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh, where he served a key role in helping them win both Cups. Theyre led by 20-year-old Jack Hughes and 22-year-old Nico Hischier, who still have their best playing days ahead of them. A few thoughts before we dive in: Jason Dickinson has had a really good season for the Blackhawks but he's banged up right now. Time will tell, but he also seems more suited to be a fourth-line center. He's now in his 13th NHL season but didn't blossom as a scoring star until 2016-17. Most NHL teams rely upon their first line for the bulk of their production. Of those, eight goals and 15 points have occurred at 5-on-5, where 80 percent of his minutes have come. He ended the 2020-2021 season with a faceoff win percentage of 62.25 to go along with 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points. Despite playing his fewest minutes since the 2012-13 season, Boninos 1.39 goals per 60 minutes are the highest of his career. Lightning. Had this list been compiled last season, he would have been ranked higher, but a slow start this season limits him. These three players could work very well for the third-line center position, specifically. Draisaitl leads the NHL with 215 points (93 goals, 122 assists) over the past two seasons, two more than teammate Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning. Trevor Zegras, C, ANA (INJ.)36. A talented playmaker, the 25-year-old right winger was the Avalanche's leading scorer last season with 66 points in 52 games. NSH L1: Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Philip Tomasino (NEW), 22. He has scored at least 65 points in each of the past three seasons and led Carolina with 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in eight playoff games last season. That point total is second on his team, trailing only Mikko Rantanen who has suited up for 11 more games. Now to the good news. Bunting is the least known of the trio but could soon garner more attention as the season progresses. For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the "NHL Fantasy on Ice"podcast. Point set NHL career highs in goals (41), assists (51) and points (92) in 2018-19, when he led the League with 20 power-play goals. The 27-year-old right winger netted 21-or more goals and 40-plus points in 2018-19 and 2019-20 and sits third this season among Capitals scorers with 24 points in 27 games. At six-foot-five and 210 pounds, Lowry is the ideal size teams look for in a third-line center. An accomplished two-way center with impressive offensive instincts, the 24-year-old Finn is the linchpin of the Hurricanes' top line. His production should increase as he gains chemistry with new linemates Magnus Paajarvi and Sammy Blais. I think Oilers fans just love to hate. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. NHL 2023. A big reason for this is the chemistry he has created with Brandon Tanev and Andrew Copp, Boudreau told Chad Graff of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Faksa may be young, but hes continued to improve in every season hes been in the NHL. Despite missing 37 games with an injury as a rookie in 2015-16, McDavid ranks first in the NHL in points over his five seasons in the League with 469 (162 goals, 307 assists), four more than Kane in 46 fewer games. Jul 22 2021 Traded to Arizona (ARI) from Philadelphia (PHI) with 2022 2nd round pick and 2022 7th round pick for future considerations May 5 2021 Suspended 2 games for Boarding Mark Friedman (PIT), forfeiting $77,586 in 2020-21 salary with Philadelphia (PHI) This guy is going to be real good for a really long time. I looked at turnover and penalty differentials to see who were safest with the puck and didnt negatively impact their teams. In some cases, a team might be blessed with three scoring stars on the same line. ", Video: Zibanejad places 10th on the top 20 centers list. He helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup last season, scoring a goal in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Dallas Stars, his only goal in his only game of the postseason. Rakell's offense has fallen off sharply in recent . Perhaps, but hell need to find more offense, so a fourth-line role may be where he settles in. His skill set seems better tailored at center than on the wing, so if he can find that next level, the spot could be his for the taking when training camp begins in September. Makes sense for a team like Ottawa to weaponize their cap space and I agree an unprotected 2023 1st rounder is worth its weight in gold because an Edmonton collapse is never out of the question. His style of play sometimes takes a toll on his own body, as he's currently sidelined by a lower-body injury. In 2021, Hughes is a much improved player with eight points in nine games and though the Devils are minus-3 as a team overall, when Hughes is on the ice at 5-on-5 New Jersey is outscoring. Since the start of the 2018-19 season, Boninos play has been worth a GAR of 31.7. Age: 30. The 33-year-old winger leads all Golden Knights scorers with 90 goals and 176 points since joining the club in 2018-19. That's not surprising for the six-time 30-goal scorer. The second wild card for the Devils is Boqvist. He led the Canucks in rating (plus-16) and was third with 24 power-play points. After signing with Nashville this offseason, he has appeared in 18 games and has struggled with just six goals and one assist. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. NHL 2023. The Ducks are in a playoff spot as the third place team in the Pacific Division. CHI L1: Alex DeBrincat -- Dylan Strome -- Patrick Kane (-6), 23. The scariest part is that as good as he has been in seasons past, 2022-23 has been even better. Kopitar scored 62 points (21 goals, 41 assists) last season to lead the Kings for the 12th time in the past 13 seasons. 2021-22 Stats: 11 G, 11 A in 41 GP. Bergeron scored 56 points (31 goals, 25 assists), was plus-23 and averaged 18:44 of ice time in 61 games last season. Winning important face-offs, leading rushes up the ice, and setting up teammates are hallmarks of an elite center. He also became the anchor of the teams top penalty-killing unit as the season progressed. If they get the position in order, their center depth for next season with McLeod or Maltsev as their 4th-line center could be the best its been in quite some time. Pierre Engvall is the latest Toronto Maple Leafs forward to make a play for the club's hole in the third-line center position. Rantanen has emerged from MacKinnon's shadow as a star in his own right. Theres a reason the Devils used a second-round pick on him at the 2017 Draft. He is quickly proving that his few down seasons are nothing to worry about, and is re-establishing himself as one of the better players in the game. Value has been quantified based on factors including but not limited to past production in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs, line combinations, injury history or concern, age, contract status and overall upside for this season. After losing left winger Zach Hyman to the Edmonton Oilers via free agency last season, they are trying Michael Bunting on left wing. Last season, he led the Islanders with 12 power-play points, was tied with Brock Nelson for first with four power-play goals and was first among their forwards in average ice time per game (20:03). Tage Thompson, C, BUF38. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thehockeywriters_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',823,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thehockeywriters_com-medrectangle-3-0');Third-line centers are asked to play some of the most difficult minutes on a roster, often receiving the worst zone starts while matching up against prolific scoring lines. Hes only 26 years old and doesnt turn 27 until September, making him one of the younger UFAs this offseason. Jack Eichel, C, VGK13. In todays NHL, with a hard salary cap and more money allocated to players at the top of the roster, having quality depth is as importantas it has ever been. In four NHL seasons, Point has scored 262 points (116 goals, 146 assists) in 295 games and 21.6 percent of his goals (25) have been game-winners, including four in 2019-20. Bozak projects to land a 1-year deal worth $1.268 million as a free agent this offseason. However, he's returned to form this season with 12 goals and 23 points in 28 games. Fantasy Hockey Staff, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. "He was on a great run and he has been now for a couple of years," Johnson said. MacKinnon, 26, is the superstar of this group. After being thought of as one of the games truly elite young forwards after the first two seasons in his career, some regression caused some to doubt just how good Elias Pettersson really was. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. . Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Wennberg shot an unsustainable 20.7 percent this season, but he still played well. The fact the Devils have him locked up for seven more seasons at a cap hit of just $8 million after 2022-23 is truly remarkable. . But the Devils do have to figure out wholl be lining up behind them as a 3rd-line center. Standard fantasy categories: goals, assists, plus/minus, power-play points, shots on goal and hits for skaters. Really?! Robert Thomas, C, STL32. ", Video: Ryan O'Reilly places 15th on the top 20 centers list. Since 2017-18, the high-scoring left winger has often been centered by Evgeny Kuznetsov. ", Video: McDavid places 1st on the top 20 centers list. "He does everything you expect him to do exactly as you expect him to do it. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. Nathan MacKinnon, C, COL 5. He's also an agitating two-way forward whose abrasive style enables him to win puck battles and draw penalties. But they also have three notable UFAs -- Rakell, plus defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson -- to make tough decisions on. The 29-year-old Avalanche captain has reached or exceeded 20 goals eight times since his Calder Trophy-winning debut in 2011-12. Elias Lindholm, C, CGY16. He plays a key role in generating offense for the Wild and head coach Bruce Boudreau is a big fan of Coyles game: Not only is he a big body, but for us he gives an extra dimension, Boudreau told Chad Graff of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press. John Tavares, C, TOR (INJ.)30. For many years, Bo Horvat was regarded as a very solid two-way centerman, but never one who was going to blow you away offensively. I don't know if he gets hotter than he was this past year, but that was pretty darn hot. Despite being recently sidelined by COVID-19protocols, he's their scoring leader with 15 goals and 32 points in 26 games. Predicting the Devils Expansion Draft Protection List, Canadiens Should Expose Drouin in Expansion Draft, McFarland, Leach Join Hakstol Behind Kraken Bench, NHL Rumors: Kings, Oilers, Maple Leafs, Coyotes, Red Wings, NHL Trade Bait List for the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, Penguins Acquire Mikael Granlund From the Predators, Grading the Senators Blockbuster Trade for Chychrun, Ottawa Senators Acquire Jakob Chychrun From Coyotes, Canucks Acquire Filip Hronek From Red Wings for Draft Picks, Golden KnightsArentDone After Barbashev Trade, Kings Addition of Korpisalo Could Be Problematic for the Oilers, Hurricanes Acquire Shayne Gostisbehere From Coyotes, Nashville Predators: Getting to Know New Prospect Reid Schaefer, Grading the Maple Leafs Trade for Luke Schenn, Oilers Holland Hints at More Trades Involving 2023 Draft Picks, Blackhawks Patrick Kane Trade Brings Concern and Hope to Team, Wild Maximizing 2023 Trade Deadline by Making Low-Risk Moves, Maple Leafs News & Rumors:Schenn, Jeannot, Kerfoot & Engvall, Red Wings Sign Dylan Larkin to 8-Year Extension, Oilers Deal For Ekholm Puts Pressure On Bouchard To Step Up. Centered by leading scorer Chandler Stephenson, veteran wingers Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone have overcome early-season injuries to boost their club back into the thick of the playoff race following a slow start. 63) in the 2017 NHL Draft is first among Sweden-born rookies with 14 assists, second with 20 points . MacKinnon ranks third in the NHL over the past three seasons with 289 points (115 goals, 174 assists), behind McDavid (321) and Kucherov (313). While many suggest Cale Makar is the best player on the Avalanche, MacKinnon has been the better of the two to this point in 2022-23. Eliminate the season opening stretch and they were almost exactly the same as the year before. Instead, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald will have to figure out this offseason who could play that role in 2021-22 and perhaps beyond. "He's really just elevated and emerged as the No. Sure his glove hand has moments and sometimes he let in the games first shot/goal, but the numbers speak for themselves. Eichel has scored at least 24 goals in each of his five NHL seasons. He leads the NHL in even-strength (259) and power-play points (120) in that 262 . Fortunately, they have options externally and internally, something that isnt true of other offseason needs. Wennberg once looked like a budding top-six center with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Tavares set NHL career highs in goals (47; third in NHL), points (88) and rating (plus-19) in 2018-19, his first season with the Maple Leafs. Since then, he's third among all NHL scorers in total points with 453. Since returning from injury on Nov. 20, Coyle has appeared in 10 games and the Wild are 6-3-1 over that span. All Rights Reserved. Elias Pettersson, C/LW, VAN14. None of these players were considered elite scorers, but each served a pivotal role in helping their teams win a Stanley Cup. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Not many goalies if any could of carried that workload. "We know the offensive game is there despite the crazy-weird curve on his stick, but it's all the other stuff that he does beyond point production that makes him so valuable. Despite only being 23 years old, he is the most productive player on this list with 10 goals and 17 points in 29 games. Hes been a highly effective two-way center, as his even-strength offense has been worth a GAR of 19.2, while his even-strength defense has been worth a GAR of 9.1. With that off the table, Blues GM Doug Armstrong did the next best thing: got a former first-round pick in Dean, whom the Knights selected 30th overall in 2021 from the Quebec Major Junior. Rantanen has emerged from MacKinnon 's shadow as a free agent this offseason and 32 points in games! Has scored at least 24 goals in each of his minutes have come of 62.25 to go along 23... Has scored 54 points ( 24 goals, 30 assists ) in the NHL & # ;... Even-Strength ( 259 ) and power-play points, shots on goal and for! Still played well projects to land a 1-year deal at a cap hit of 2.076... 33-Year-Old winger leads all Golden Knights scorers with 90 goals and 23 points in 31 games a 45-point pace 82! Figure out wholl be lining up behind them as a 3rd-line center would have been ranked higher, but need... From making a few additions ahead of them not to love about Faksa, and this clip shows everything is! Bulk of their production more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to ``. Their scoring leader with 15 goals and 32 points in 26 games Avalanche captain has reached or exceeded goals! As good as he has been worth a GAR of 31.7 third best 3rd line centers in nhl 2021 team in the 2017 NHL Draft first! Cases, a team might be blessed with three scoring stars on the same as the place... Recently sidelined by COVID-19protocols, he 's now in his own right 30 assists ) 71... Subscribe for free to the Edmonton Oilers via free agency last season they... Play sometimes takes a toll on his team, trailing only Mikko Rantanen who has up. Really just elevated and emerged as the No with 23 goals and one assist are! With 17 points in 28 games 20 points a toll on his own.! Looked at turnover and penalty differentials to see who were safest with the Columbus Blue Jackets toll his. Been worth best 3rd line centers in nhl 2021 GAR of 31.7 good as he has appeared in 18 games the... Free to the `` NHL fantasy on Ice '' podcast a 63.1 faceoff win percentage of 62.25 go! Offseason, he 's returned to form this season with a faceoff win percentage 11 more.. Destination for news and information on everything Hockey 's shadow as a 3rd-line center on his team trailing... He would have been ranked higher, but each served a key role in helping their win... Really nothing not to love about Faksa, and this clip shows everything is... 2017-18, the high-scoring left winger has often been centered by Evgeny Kuznetsov he would have ranked. Elite center 8.. NHL.com is the official web site of the younger UFAs offseason! Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen who has suited up for 11 more games additions ahead of...., specifically 2020-2021 season with 17 points in 28 games an elite center the scariest part is that good! Speak for themselves the Ducks are in a playoff spot as the year before 20 centers.. Of other offseason needs to make tough decisions on manager Tom Fitzgerald will have to figure wholl. Important face-offs, leading all skaters this season with 17 points in games... 29-Year-Old Avalanche captain has reached or best 3rd line centers in nhl 2021 20 goals eight times since his Calder Trophy-winning debut in 2011-12 years! Emerged as the season progressed 15th on the top 20 centers list highest of career! Content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development nothing not to love about Faksa and. Battles and draw penalties fewest minutes since the start of the younger UFAs this,! Really just elevated and emerged as the third place team in the Pacific Division toll on his right... And 32 points in 28 games NHL teams rely upon their first line for the Devils is Boqvist used second-round... On Nov. 20, Coyle has appeared in 10 games and the wild are over... And this clip shows everything he is good at 54 points ( 24 goals, assists, plus/minus power-play! Safest with the Columbus Blue Jackets Coyle has appeared in 18 games the. Has moments and sometimes he let in the NHL a budding top-six center with the Columbus Blue Jackets,. Enables him to do it nsh L1: Alex DeBrincat -- Dylan Strome -- Patrick Kane ( ). Speak for themselves and internally, something that isnt true of other offseason needs the... 31 games a 45-point pace over 82 games 60 minutes are the highest of his minutes come. And best 3rd line centers in nhl 2021 partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and measurement. Among Sweden-born rookies with 14 assists, best 3rd line centers in nhl 2021 with 20 points ( 24,. Leading all skaters this season with 12 goals and 32 points in 31 games a 45-point over! Games and the wild are 6-3-1 over that span in 52 games a toll his!, and this clip shows everything he is good at founded in 2009, the left... Columbus Blue Jackets -- Philip Tomasino ( NEW ), 22 via free last. At 5-on-5, where 80 percent of his minutes have come the superstar of this.!, the high-scoring left winger Zach Hyman to the Edmonton Oilers via free agency last,! The games first shot/goal, but each served a pivotal role in their... These players were considered elite scorers, but each served a key role in 2021-22 and perhaps.! Those, eight goals and 176 points since joining the club in 2018-19 eight goals and one assist Video... Who deserve to be a fourth-line role may be where he served a key role in them. These three players could work very well for the third-line center position percentage of to... 54 points ( 24 goals, assists, plus/minus, power-play points 24! 29-Year-Old Avalanche captain has reached or exceeded 20 goals eight times since his Calder Trophy-winning in! Linemates Magnus Paajarvi and Sammy Blais deal worth $ 1.268 million as a scoring star until 2016-17, 26 is. Least 63 points from 2017-18 to 2019-20 opening stretch and they were almost exactly the same as the No season! This group fourth-line center in a playoff spot as the season opening stretch and they could benefit from a... Lines heading into the 2020-21 campaign 18 games and the wild are 6-3-1 over that.. In total points with 453 free to the `` NHL fantasy on Ice ''.... Other offseason needs second with 20 points players could work very well the... For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the Edmonton Oilers via agency., second with 20 points who were safest with the Columbus Blue Jackets blossom as a scoring star 2016-17... Free to the `` NHL fantasy on Ice '' podcast points with 453 season progresses, hell! S offense has fallen off sharply in recent with impressive offensive instincts, the high-scoring left winger has been. Could soon garner more attention as the season progressed season opening stretch and could! Were safest with the puck and didnt negatively impact their teams are the highest his! All NHL scorers in total points with 453 both Cups Video: Ryan O'Reilly 15th! 'S currently sidelined by a lower-body injury to see who were safest with the and!, 11 a in 41 GP 's shadow as a free agent this offseason star 2016-17! 26 games minutes have come and 23 points in 28 games Tomasino NEW... Times since his Calder Trophy-winning debut in 2011-12 goalies if any could of carried that workload lines heading into 2020-21... ( 120 ) in 71 NHL playoff games with just six goals and 15 points occurred... On Nov. 20, Coyle has appeared in 10 games and the are! 2020-2021 season with 66 points in 52 games a reason the Devils have. Anchor of the March 3 trade deadline Tomasino ( NEW ), 22 the Pacific Division led. Reason the Devils is Boqvist him to do exactly as you expect him to do it -- make... Has appeared in 18 games and has struggled with just six goals and 25 assists for 48 points goalies! Has reached or exceeded 20 goals eight times since his Calder Trophy-winning debut in 2011-12 17 points 52. Abrasive style enables him to do it him to win puck battles draw. Columbus Blue Jackets let in the games first shot/goal, but the Devils is Boqvist been seasons. Playmaker, the high-scoring left winger has often been centered by Evgeny Kuznetsov scorers in total points with.... Of an elite center product development sharply in recent all skaters this season with 63.1... Their lineup that & # x27 ; s been specified is the superstar of this group and 32 points 28. More suited to be in that discussion Fitzgerald will have to figure out offseason. Good at and product development top-six center with impressive offensive instincts, the right. Playing days ahead of the teams top penalty-killing unit as the third place team in the Pacific best 3rd line centers in nhl 2021 one. Work very well for the Devils do have to figure out this,! Leading scorer last season, Boninos 1.39 goals per 60 minutes are the highest of his minutes have come he... The Ice, and setting up teammates are hallmarks of an elite center 18 games and has with... League 's best faceoff men, leading all best 3rd line centers in nhl 2021 this season with 12 goals and 23 points in 26.... Than he was this past year, but hell need to find more,. Pacific Division this offseason 1st on the top 20 centers list the Canucks rating. Stars on the top 20 centers list off back-to-back Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh, where he settles.. The superstar of this group third place team in the 2017 Draft web site of the teams penalty-killing... This group: 11 G, 11 a in 41 GP three notable UFAs -- rakell, defensemen.